I've been a Noles fan my whole life. We used to snowbird to Miami for holidays and I think I became an FSU fan early in my childhood b/c everyone down there HATED them. So I grew up listening to people shit-talk about FSU and it literally made me a fan - for whatever strange reason, my mind works that way. I almost attended college there just because I was a fan of the football team, but my parents' logic made more sense at the time. So I went to a smaller school in FL (Rollins) and drove to a couple of FSU home games a year. Made the trip to Gainsville once and Miami twice. (All 3, unfortunate outcomes on the road but, the games @ Doak Cambell vs Gators and Canes provided every-other-year relief.) And I did watch them dismantle my LEAST favorite school - Notre Dame, in Orlando. The more I understood and enjoyed football, the more I appreciated FSU over the years. Esteemed defenses and point-piling offenses...through the end of the last century at least. Listening to Bowden speak after a win or loss, surrounded by mountie-hatted Florida patrolman was the epitome of hearing Southern Gentleman wisdom. And as the history books will attest, his reaction to the Marshall tragedy was an example of his outstanding class. I've been an FSU fan almost as long as I've been a Jets fan, so every Noles alum on the Jets has always had a special place in my heart - Shadetree, Leon, etc. Even Charlie Ward is still one of my all-time favorite Knicks for no other reason than for what he did in college football. I know people will be quick to say the game may have passed him by in recent years, but the Seminoles under Bobby Bowden provided my life with at least one important college football game to watch on Autumn Saturdays for almost 30 years now. Despite Wide Rights and Left, 1993 and 1999 were golden and worth the wait. Thanks Coach Bobby!
Quite possibly the greatest college football coach of all time. What he did at FSU was remarkable. It's a shame the way he is being treated now. he deserved to go out on his own. I miss the good old days in CFB w/ Miami and FSU battling it out as the best programs every year.
I'll miss the chase with Bobby and JoePa...just watch We are Marshall and you will know what a good guy Bobby was, and this is coming from a Penn State fan...you deserve a better sendoff Bobby,,,:beer:
"The reason I attended FSU is because of Coach Bowden. His legendary leadership, wisdom and faith motivated me throughout my life and football career. Indeed, it's a sad day for all of FSU and the football world. Now, I can only hope the next coach can leave an indelible impression on young men the way Coach did when he sat in my living room." -- New York Jets running back Leon Washington
Best piece of seen about him came from EDSBS. http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2009/12/01/bobby-bowden-retires-in-four-parts/
I may be a Miami fan, but I'm a bit sad to see Bobby go. Miami was never a team to hold onto coaches for very long, but the thought that the Canes have gone through eight coaches since Bobby arrived in Tallahassee is remarkable.
I find it amazing that he still has his number listed in the phone book. Will be sad to see him go out on these terms. It will be a sad day when he and Joe Pa are no longer coaching. I only saw the Noles play once and it was against Tennessee in the Fiesta Bowl for the National Title and the outcome was not what the Noles had hoped but the women were amazing. For that alone I salute you Coach Bowden.
I have always liked BB, even though I am a Cane. I always respected how FSU never took Miami off their schedule like UF and ND did, just because there was a period of time that they couldnt risk losing to Miami. But Bowden never did that. Years ago, he used to run a trick offensive play early in the game for many many games, and his teams were always exciting to watch. He is a rival coach but i like him a lot and respect him. i like his down home, country attitude and sense of humor-,kinda like why I like Sarah Palin, too. And according to the movie "We Are Marshall", he gave a lot of crucial assistance to the new coaching staff after the fatal plane crash killed much of the Marshall team,- even though he was coaching at WVU at the time and was a local rival. He was classy in victory, and even more so after excruciating losses. Enjoy your ride into the sunset, coach.
